Wacka Posted July 31 Posted July 31 (edited) Those who are close to my age (late 60s) know what I am talking about.This is for the younger board members. I was told I was beginning to get cataracts about 7 or 8 years ago, but could put it off for a few more years. First noticed what looked like fine mist or smoke coming out of the car dash vents when I was driving at night. Over time, the glare from approaching headlights hot worse nd worse and several years ago stopped driving at night unless absolutely necessary. Was going to get them taken care of last year, but I was recuperating from my kidney transplant. Since then, they have gotten worse, which the eye doc said could be from the anti-rejection meds I take. Last summer, totaled my car turning into oncoming traffic I swear I didn't see. This year had trouble seeing clearly on overcast days. Got the first one done last week and the other today. I'll see how the second is with the follow up tomorrow. What a difference! Only out for 20 minutes. On the way home 30 minutes after going under. No pain at all from the operation. The only pain was the BP cuff. My mom had it done when she was 91 by the same doctor. Edited July 31 by Wacka 4 1 3 1 Quote
Mike in Horseheads Posted August 1 Posted August 1 I agree with OP, I've had both eyes done and feel like I can see better than ever Quote
LabattBlue Posted August 1 Posted August 1 I don’t have cataracts, but I know several people whose surgery was botched. If the time ever comes, I will be doing some serious research before anyone touches my eyes. 2 Quote
WotAGuy Posted August 1 Posted August 1 Can’t have the surgery. Cataracts are the “get out of jail free card” I give my wife when she catches me looking at the chicks. 7 Quote
Wacka Posted August 1 Author Posted August 1 Took off the gauze last night at 7 PM. The newly operated eye was blurry but when Iwoke up this morning, everything is sharp with both eyes. A little fuzziness in terms of operated eye but is better than the other one was at this point, Shouls be crystal clear tomorrow, I think I may only need readers and should find out in a few weeks. 3 1 Quote
davefan66 Posted August 1 Posted August 1 Wig had emergent surgery for a detached retina. Doc told her in less than a year, she would need to have surgery for cataracts. Ended up needing the surgery and fixed her distance issues, but needs reading classes now. Was pretty simple surgery for her and got great results in clearing her vision. Quote
BuffaloBill Posted August 1 Posted August 1 19 minutes ago, Wacka said: Took off the gauze last night at 7 PM. The newly operated eye was blurry but when Iwoke up this morning, everything is sharp with both eyes. A little fuzziness in terms of operated eye but is better than the other one was at this point, Shouls be crystal clear tomorrow, I think I may only need readers and should find out in a few weeks. Thanks for sharing. I have very early cataracts according to my doc. Not sure when but I am headed down this road in the future. Quote
Wacka Posted August 3 Author Posted August 3 4 days post 2nd operation. and it's like I never had cataracts. Just have to put drops in the first eye until Thursday and then another week of drops in the 2nd eye. Then at the end of the month, go and get new lenses in my glasses. Everything is much sharper and brighter. Today, there is an air quality alert, (from the CA wildfires) so I know that the filtered sunlight is from that and not the cataracts. Will be wearing sunglasses on sunny days from now on. 1 Quote
Figster Posted August 3 Posted August 3 Left eye done a couple weeks ago. Right eye on the 14 Left eye went great... Quote
ExiledInIllinois Posted August 4 Posted August 4 Does insurance cover it? The way it's going now... We won't be able to afford it... Probably be cut out of benefits. Like a bunch of years ago, went in for colonoscopy and the anesthesiologist charged 2 grand... I pay $300 every 2 weeks for health, employer picks up $700... That's $18 grand a year... I ain't going back. I guess I will go blind and die of cancer... Healthcare is like a drug dealers, killing the customer one way or another... Quote
ExiledInIllinois Posted August 4 Posted August 4 ...12k PER EYE! On high-end... lol... My luck I'll need the expensive treatment. 😔... "The average cost of cataract surgery in the United States typically ranges from $1,808 to $11,730 per eye, depending on various factors such as the type of procedure and the intraocular lens used. Insurance coverage can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses, so it's important to check with your provider for specific details." Quote
T&C Posted August 4 Posted August 4 9 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said: ...12k PER EYE! On high-end... lol... My luck I'll need the expensive treatment. 😔... "The average cost of cataract surgery in the United States typically ranges from $1,808 to $11,730 per eye, depending on various factors such as the type of procedure and the intraocular lens used. Insurance coverage can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses, so it's important to check with your provider for specific details." I had both eyes done last year... they inserted a lens in each eye so I have 20/20 vision but I do need readers sometimes for stuff up close. Had no out of pocket charges so that was great. I just use the cheapo readers from dollar tree, under $2 a pop.. but I figured out quickly that it's best to have like 5 pairs of them so there is always one there no matter what room/vehicle I'm in. I don't really use them that much though. I never did ask if I can open my eyes under water in a pool, but that scenario hasn't come up yet. It's worth it, even if you have to dig into that massive 401K account and pay the penalty. 1 Quote
ExiledInIllinois Posted August 4 Posted August 4 10 minutes ago, T&C said: I had both eyes done last year... they inserted a lens in each eye so I have 20/20 vision but I do need readers sometimes for stuff up close. Had no out of pocket charges so that was great. I just use the cheapo readers from dollar tree, under $2 a pop.. but I figured out quickly that it's best to have like 5 pairs of them so there is always one there no matter what room/vehicle I'm in. I don't really use them that much though. I never did ask if I can open my eyes under water in a pool, but that scenario hasn't come up yet. It's worth it, even if you have to dig into that massive 401K account and pay the penalty. 😆🤣 I guess I am going blind... Quote
T&C Posted August 4 Posted August 4 2 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said: 😆🤣 I guess I am going blind... Funny but not really... your eyesight isn't something you want to play games with. Figure out a way if you really need it done... Quote
Mike in Horseheads Posted August 4 Posted August 4 3 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said: ...12k PER EYE! On high-end... lol... My luck I'll need the expensive treatment. 😔... "The average cost of cataract surgery in the United States typically ranges from $1,808 to $11,730 per eye, depending on various factors such as the type of procedure and the intraocular lens used. Insurance coverage can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses, so it's important to check with your provider for specific details." it falls under major medical, your covered. 1 Quote
US Egg Posted August 4 Posted August 4 31 minutes ago, Mike in Horseheads said: it falls under major medical, your covered. 3 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said: ...12k PER EYE! On high-end... lol... My luck I'll need the expensive treatment. 😔... "The average cost of cataract surgery in the United States typically ranges from $1,808 to $11,730 per eye, depending on various factors such as the type of procedure and the intraocular lens used. Insurance coverage can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses, so it's important to check with your provider for specific details." Place my wife went recently said 3k-6k out of pocket depending and with Medicare advantage? Got to revisit or compare elsewhere I guess. I want that money for vacation. Quote
ExiledInIllinois Posted August 4 Posted August 4 5 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said: it falls under major medical, your covered. That's NOT what the bill collector says... They will attempt to get blood out of a stone... Hard pass... I'll go blind thank you! Only gonna get worse for the younger ones... 7 hours ago, T&C said: Funny but not really... your eyesight isn't something you want to play games with. Figure out a way if you really need it done... Yeah... Worth more dead than alive. My father went almost totally blind from glaucoma. [Sorry to be depressing, but something always gives] Quote
ExiledInIllinois Posted August 4 Posted August 4 4 hours ago, US Egg said: Place my wife went recently said 3k-6k out of pocket depending and with Medicare advantage? Got to revisit or compare elsewhere I guess. I want that money for vacation. A vacay that you can't see?😏 Lots of people want the money so they aren't homeless... Who can afford $3-$6k!!!! Per eye? 😆 🤣 Medical debt is #1 leading cause of bankruptcy... Quote
LewPort71 Posted August 4 Posted August 4 I had mine done in fall 2023. I am now the official sighter when I play golf with my geezer buddies who have not yet had the surgery. I opted for the long vision, so reading glasses are used for reading the paper. I was out of pocket about $200 and Medicare paid the rest. 2 Quote
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